Motor cover for a work assist vehicle

Abstract

A work assist vehicle includes a self propelled, steerable body having a chassis and a drive mechanism supported on the chassis; a mast assembly coupled to the body; and, a personnel compartment attached to the mast assembly and being movable by the mast assembly toward and away from the body. The body further includes a cover adapted to extend over a portion of the chassis and a weight sensor assembly coupled to the chassis and the cover. The weight sensor assembly is capable of detecting if someone or something is located on the cover.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A work assist vehicle comprising: a self propelled, steerable body including a chassis and a drive mechanism supported on said chassis;   a mast assembly coupled to said body;   a personnel compartment attached to said mast assembly and being movable by said mast assembly toward and away from said body; and   said body further including a cover adapted to extend over a portion of said chassis and a weight sensor assembly coupled to said chassis and said cover, said weight sensor assembly being capable of detecting if someone or something is located on said cover.   
     
     
       2. A work assist vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said chassis portion comprises a motor compartment which is located directly beneath said personnel compartment. 
     
     
       3. A work assist vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mast assembly comprises two or more mast sections and an elevating device coupled to said chassis and at least one of said mast sections, said elevating device causing said at least one mast section to move toward and away from said chassis, and said at least one mast section being coupled to said personnel compartment such that said compartment moves with said one mast section. 
     
     
       4. A work assist vehicle as set forth in claim 3, wherein said body further comprises a controller. 
     
     
       5. A work assist vehicle as set forth in claim 4, wherein said weight sensor assembly comprises: a support bar coupled to said chassis and being movable relative to said chassis, said cover being coupled to said support bar;   at least one spring positioned between said support bar and said chassis for biasing said support bar away from said chassis; and   at least one microswitch coupled to said chassis and positioned adjacent said support bar, said at least one microswitch being activated by said support bar if said support bar is moved against said at least one spring toward said chassis by someone or something located on said cover, said at least one microswitch generating a presence-detected signal if activated, said presence-detected signal being coupled to said controller.   
     
     
       6. A work assist vehicle as set forth in claim 5, wherein said support bar comprises a generally H-shaped bar. 
     
     
       7. A work assist vehicle as set forth in claim 6, wherein said at least one microswitch comprises first, second, third and fourth microswitches positioned beneath said generally H-shaped bar. 
     
     
       8. A work assist vehicle as set forth in claim 5, wherein said controller, upon receiving said presence-detected signal, prevents said elevating device from lowering said personnel compartment toward said chassis. 
     
     
       9. A work assist vehicle as set forth in claim 8, wherein said drive mechanism comprises at least one drive wheel and at least one drive motor assembly coupled to and adapted to drive said at least one drive wheel, said controller preventing said drive motor assembly from driving said at least one drive wheel upon receiving said presence-detected signal. 
     
     
       10. A work assist vehicle as set forth in claim 9, wherein said drive motor assembly includes a brake, said controller causing said brake to be engaged upon receiving said presence-detected signal. 
     
     
       11. A work assist vehicle as set forth in claim 10, wherein said microswitch is deactivated when said object is removed from said cover, said controller permitting said elevating device to lower said personnel compartment toward said chassis a predetermined delay period following deactivation of said at least one microswitch. 
     
     
       12. A vehicle comprising: a self propelled, steerable body including a chassis and a drive mechanism supported on said chassis;   a mast assembly coupled to said body;   a base attached to said mast assembly and being movable by said mast assembly toward and away from said body; and   said body further including a cover adapted to extend over a portion of said chassis and a weight sensor assembly coupled to said chassis and said cover, said weight sensor assembly being capable of detecting if someone or something is located on said cover.   
     
     
       13. A vehicle as set forth in claim 12, wherein said chassis portion comprises a compartment which is located directly beneath said base. 
     
     
       14. A vehicle as set forth in claim 12, wherein said mast assembly comprises two or more mast sections and an elevating device coupled to said chassis and at least one of said mast sections, said elevating device causing said at least one mast section to move toward and away from said chassis, and said at least one mast section being coupled to said base such that said base moves with said one mast section. 
     
     
       15. A vehicle as set forth in claim 14, wherein said body further comprises a controller. 
     
     
       16. A vehicle as set forth in claim 15, wherein said weight sensor assembly comprises: a support bar coupled to said chassis and being movable relative to said chassis, said cover being coupled to said support bar;   at least one spring positioned between said support bar and said chassis for biasing said support bar away from said chassis; and   at least one microswitch coupled to said chassis and positioned adjacent said support bar, said at least one microswitch being activated by said support bar if said support bar is moved against said at least one spring toward said chassis by someone or something located on said cover, said at least one microswitch generating a presence-detected signal if activated, said presence-detected signal being transmitted to said controller.   
     
     
       17. A vehicle as set forth in claim 16, wherein said controller, upon receiving said presence-detected signal, prevents said elevating device from lowering said base toward said chassis. 
     
     
       18. A vehicle as set forth in claim 17, wherein said drive mechanism comprises at least one drive wheel and at least one drive motor assembly coupled to and adapted to drive said at least one drive wheel, said controller further preventing said drive motor assembly from driving said at least one drive wheel upon receiving said presence-detected signal. 
     
     
       19. A vehicle as set forth in claim 18, wherein said drive motor assembly includes a brake, said controller causing said brake to be engaged upon receiving said presence-detected signal. 
     
     
       20. A vehicle as set forth in claim 19, wherein said microswitch is deactivated when said object is removed from said cover, said controller permitting said elevating device to lower said base toward said chassis a predetermined delay period following deactivation of said at least one microswitch.